As our Rouge et Bleu get set to travel to Istres for Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 8, take a look back at the history linking the two teams, with shared players and memorable encounters.
A shared history spanning several decades
Over the course of history, five players have worn the colours of Paris and Istres - five internationals, and all well-known names in France and beyond. Among them is Sébastien Mongin. After making his professional debut at Istres, where he played for four seasons, the former centre-half moved to Paris in 2004. With Les Rouge et Bleu, the French international experienced the early glories of the capital club, notably taking part in the 2007 Coupe de France triumph. By beating Pays d'Aix in the final, the Parisiansclaimed the first major title in their history. During his time in Paris, the now-retired 46-year-old rubbed shoulders with Ibrahima Diaw, who was also part of that Coupe triumph.
The former left-back, a true Parisian youth system product, had two successful spells with Les Rouge et Bleu. After making his debut in 2003, he moved to Istres in 2009. It was a short-lived stint, however, as he returned to Paris two seasons later. As part of the rotation of captains within the capital club's new ambitious project, he added to his list of honours by winning Paris' first French league title. Another French champion in 2013 with Les Rouge et Bleu, Samuel Honrubia was a fixture at the capital club for four seasons. A French international who won numerous titles alongside former Parisians such as Thierry Omeyer, Daniel Narcisse and Nikola Karabatic, the former left winger decided to end his professional career at Istres between 2021 and 2023.
A story of goalkeepers
Paris and Istres also share a history of great goalkeepers - namely Vincent Gérard and Yann Genty - two players whose careers continued to intertwine until the former's retirement in the summer. After starting his career at Montpellier, Vincent Gérard continued to progress at Istres between 2008 and 2010, where he won what is still to this day the only major trophy in the club's history: the 2009 Coupe de la Ligue. With a career and record of achievements that are well known, the 37-year-old established himself as one of the best in his position season after season. Named best goalkeeper at the Olympic Games, the World Championship and the European Championship, as well as best keeper in the French league on five occasions, Gérard took a well-deserved retirement this summer, once again at Istres. A Parisian between 2020 and 2023, for two seasons he formed a pair with Yann Genty.
Former French international Genty's career is unlike any other. After moving to Istres between 2010 and 2012 to make up for the departure of Vincent Gérard, he continued his tour of France with each passing season, rising to be named the league's best goalkeeper in 2015 and 2019, the year in which he celebrated his first call-up to the France national team at the age of 37. He then formed a solid national-team partnership with Vincent Gérard before joining him in Paris from 2020. At 42, Genty has just signed for AEK Athens, where he has been reunited with a certain Adama Keita.
Victories and records against Istres
With the record against Istres largely in their favour, the capital club have recorded a number of notable victories against their Provençal counterparts. In 2015, Les Rouge et Bleu recorded their biggest win against Istres (41-20) thanks to an imperious performance from Thierry Omeyer, who made 17 saves. Another record was broken when the two sides last met in March 2023. Luka Karabatic put in the best performance of his Liqui Moly StarLigue career, converting all nine of his attempts to lead Paris to another big win (42-30).
(Credits: Team Pics/PSG)